TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Maritime and Fisheries Ministry planned to earmark Rp305 billion (US$22.7 billion) to boost investments in integrated maritime and fisheries businesses in 15 locations of small and outer islands across the country.
"It is expected that the development would boost economic growth that focuses on maritime commodities for international marets," Maritime and Fisheries Minister Susi Pudjiastuti said in an opening speech of the Marine and Fisheries Business and Investment Forum on Thursday, February 11, 2016.
As many as 15 islands had been selected as centers for maritime business, including Simeulue, Natuna, Mentawai, Nunukan, Tahuna, Buak Numfor, Saumlaki, Tual, Timika and Morotai islands. The fund would be taken from the State Budget and the Special Allocation Fund.
Susi said that the fund would be used, for example, to procure cold storage facilities, fishing boats, and patrol speedboats, as well as processing equipment.
The business opportunity and potentials in those islands can be used as references for stakeholders to utilize existing facilities or build new ones. Therefore, Susi added, the inter-island connectivity in relation with the maritime commodities distribution could provide benefits for people living in those islands.
"Certainly, cooperation with and supports from state-owned companies are necessary to realize all these," Susi added.
The Marine and Fisheries Business and Investment Forum discussed cooperation between SOEs in developing the fishery industry in small islands. Attending the forum were a number of directors of SOEs, such as PT Perikanan Nusantara, PT Perikanan Indonesia, PT Garam and PT Pelni.
DEVY ERNIS
